Why Does My Air Conditioning Smell Bad?

Dec 15, 2016

Are you getting a whiff of something foul in the air? It can be alarming if you follow your nose only to realize the scent is coming from your air conditioning or HVAC system. If this is happening to you, don’t ignore it! While some odors are nothing to worry about, others can be quite serious. Take a moment to analyze the odor coming out of your system or vents. A “sniff test” can tell you a lot about what’s going on!

Does Your HVAC System Smell Like Smoke?

This may seem like common sense, but if you AC or HVAC unit or system smells like something is on fire, shut it down immediately. Smoke is an indication that something inside the unit has caught fire. The source can be either mechanical or electrical, both of which are highly concerning. As soon as you shut off your system, check the unit to see if you can see any smoke coming from it. If the answer is “yes,” call FL Green Team at 239-309-2494 immediately. If you can’t see smoke, but you can still smell it, still pick up the phone and call us so we can send out a professional AC or HVAC technician, as this indicates that whatever is burning is internal.

Do not turn on your unit prior to having it inspected by one of our local technicians and receiving confirmation that it’s okay to use again.

But what if the smoke your nose is picking up on smells not like fire, but tobacco? If you are a smoker or live with one, the scent of tobacco smoke may be prevalent in your home. However, if you’re picking up this scent from your unit, it may be due to an odorous film building up on the condenser coils or inside your air ducts. While this scenario isn’t as threatening as signs of a fire, it is beneficial to have your system cleaned and maintained. FL Green Team’s professional HVAC technicians can help you reduce or eliminate the odor while ensuring that your system is clean and running efficiently.

What if My Heater Smells When I Turn It On?

As it gets a little chillier here in Southwest Florida, you may feel inclined to turn on your heater. If this is the first time you’ve turned on the heat in quite some time, you may smell a foul odor coming through your vents. Don’t panic! This is completely normal, and what you smell won’t hurt you. It’s simply due to the fact that your heater has collected dust while sitting unused for so long. When you turn on your heater, the dust burns, creating a foul odor that will sweep through the house when you first turn it on. Let it run for awhile and it should go away.

If it doesn’t, that’s when you call in an air conditioning professional to take a look at your HVAC system.

What if My AC Unit Smells Damp, Musty or Moldy?

Are you picking up a waft of mildew in the air? If your nose is crinkling at a damp and musty scent, it’s probably exactly what it smells like: algae, mold, or mildew. If this is the case, don’t ignore it. These allergens can create breathing and sinus problems, especially if you or a loved one living in the home already suffer from respiratory issues.

Instead, talk to us about how we can help you improve your air quality through proper filtration. We have a number of solutions that could work for you and help your whole family breathe easier.

Have a Question About Your Air Conditioning?

FL Green Team is here to help Southwest Florida residents with all of their heating, air, and pool heating and automation needs. Unlike many of our competitors, we are focused on what’s best for you, not our wallets. So if you have a question or concern, don’t be shy! Pick up the phone and dial 239.432.1500. One of our friendly staff members will be happy to help!